Read the text about Sephora on page 28 of NIiB SB and frame questions to which the following words and phrases provide the answers.

1. Which has revolutionized the way that perfumes and fragrances are sold. 2. By small exclusive perfume stores. 3. A wide selection of top products. 4. Two years ago. 5. To buy the company. 6. The new president. 7. All aspects of business. 8. The support of many big brands. 9. Big orders. 10. In New York.

4. Listen to the monologue “Holiday Promotions” and commentaries coming after it. Give English definitions to the words and expressions in bold print. Answer the questions.

Holiday Promotions

My boss asked me to come up with some holiday promotion ideas so that we can make inroads into the gift-buying market. For us to stay competitive, our company has to increase retail sales for this important sales cycle. My boss is expecting some innovative ideas from me.

Since we’re an online business and not a brick-and-mortar store, we can’t just put signs in the window or do other types of traditional advertising. Lucky for us, though, consumers are increasingly computer savvy and are more likely than ever to buy online. That’s something we want to capitalize on.

Like other companies, we’re willing to slash prices to attract holiday shoppers. We have a large inventory and we don’t have to worry about running out of stock. The trick is, how do we increase sales without resorting to gimmicks? Dressing up salespeople to look like Santa Claus may work for some businesses but not ours.

I’m just hoping that I can come up with some fresh ideas to jump-start this sales season. I know that my boss is counting on me.

(From ESL Podcast 224.)

· What market does the company want to make inroads into?

· Why is it necessary to increase retail sales?

· What is the difference between brick-and-mortar store and an online business?

· What does the company want to capitalize on?

· How do many companies attract shoppers?

· What doesn’t the company want to resort to?

· Why doesn’t the idea of dressing up seem to be fitting?

5. Listen to the dialogue “Working on commission” and commentaries coming after it. Give English definitions to the words and expressions in bold print. Learn the dialogue by heart and dramatize it with another student in class.

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 870